M. Margaret Kashish

M. Margaret (Jano) Kashish, 96, of North Falmouth and Milton, MA, passed away peacefully on Thursday, March 12, 2020 at the Maples Rehabilitation and Nursing Center in Wrentham, MA. She was the beloved wife of the late Barsom J. Kashish, whom she married on January 16, 1960 and who died in December 2006.
Margaret was born on August 25, 1923, the daughter of the late Shaker Jano and the late Victoria (Massabni) Jano of Damascus, Syria.  Her mother, Victoria, was the niece of the legendary Badia Massabni, the pioneer of belly dancer, innovator of the traditional belly dance costume, owner of the famed Casino nightclub of Cairo, Egypt, where notorious belly dancers were showcased, and cinematic actress. Her father, Shaker, an ethnic Assyrian of Mardin, Turkey, fled the Genocide of Christians from his native homeland with his surviving brother.
At approximately the age of five years, Margaret immigrated to the United States with her parents. She was initially raised in Boston's South End at 101 Union Park Street, then as a young woman resided in Dorchester and Roslindale, MA. As an immigrant who had grown up during the Great Depression, Margaret harbored very fond memories of, and deep gratitude for, the Morgan Memorial Methodist Church and Organization of the South End of Boston, both of which were great supports to her family during those difficult times. She enjoyed the Morgan Memorial Summer camps, where she learned to play the piano by ear, delighted in learning to swim and sail, and later went on to be a summer camp counselor. Margaret also reminisced her appreciation for her very first job as a typist and switchboard operator for that organization.
As a child, Margaret attended the Franklin School, then graduated from Girls High School in Boston. She later went on to graduate from the Burdett School of Business in Boston, where she learned to be an exceptional professional Secretary, whether it be for the Director of Nurses at Brigham and Women's Hospital in her earliest years, or as the Secretary to the Principal of Milton High School, just prior to her retirement.
Margaret met her husband, Barsom, when he asked her to dance at Mosely's Nightclub in Boston. They married at The Assyrian Church of the East in New Britain, CT, and raised their two daughters in Milton, MA. Margaret and Barsom would forge a life together as two solid and grounded parents, raising their daughters with a sense of duty, responsibility, protectiveness, and an ever-present faith in God, that will be forever remembered and appreciated. In their leisure time, Margaret and Barsom enjoyed hosting large dinner parties for their friends, complete with Middle Eastern music, and couples' penny poker gatherings, chatting and laughing 'til the wee hours of the morning, antiquing throughout the Boston area, taking long neighborhood strolls, swimming and basking in the sun at Old Silver Beach in Falmouth, their most beloved beach, where they would eventually build their dream home and live out the very happiest of years from 1985 onward.
Margaret was a talented and passionate Middle Eastern cook who created the most savory of dishes with ease and joy in her heart. She came alive at the sound of Middle Eastern music and was a natural dance partner for her husband of forty-six years. She displayed a notable "green thumb", nurturing her every plant and flower with unfailing dedication and care. Margaret displayed a very fine taste in aesthetics, whether they be of the home, antiques, or fashion. She was forever a stylish woman, with a youthful and tasteful wardrobe until the very end. She was passionate about exercise and was dedicated to keeping fit. She and Barsom were members of the Sea Crest Resort Health Club of Falmouth for twenty years, where they would swim and exercise daily. Right through to the age of eighty-seven years, Margaret could be seen by her grandchildren exercising on a stationary bicycle for forty-five minute stints and swimming the length of Old Silver Beach.
Margaret will forever be remembered for her glistening smile, her warm, social nature with friends and neighbors, her practical wisdom and sense of duty, her love for travel, with Rome being her favorite destination, her pride in creating a welcoming and beautiful home in which she could create culinary delights and share them with family and friends, her love for feeling the sunshine on her face, her enjoyment of escaping into a great novel, making blueberry muffins and pancakes for her grandsons, wearing her signature colors: dusky coral pink, savoring maple walnut ice cream, and living by the sea.
Margaret is survived by her daughter, Cynthia "Cindy" Marie Hazerjian of Plainville, MA, and her former husband, George G. Hazerjian of Plainville, and their sons: Jeremy Hazerjian and Joshua Hazerjian, both of Plainville; and her daughter Lisa A. Kashish and her husband, Brian Assadourian, and their son, Aram Barsom Assadourian, all of Hoboken, NJ. She is also survived by her sister, Alice Naticchioni of Londonderry, NH. She was predeceased by her sister, the late Julia Lamb. Margaret leaves behind her two dearest friends of over fifty years: Janice Weisburg of Waltham, MA, and Janet Nore of Dover, MA.
Friends and family are cordially invited to honor and remember Margaret by gathering for a Visitation on Monday, March 16, 2020 from 4:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m. in the "Memorial Chapel" of the Dyer-Lake Funeral Home, 161 Commonwealth Avenue, Village of Attleboro Falls, North Attleboro, MA, and on Tuesday, March 17, 2020 from 9:00 a.m. until 10:00 a.m. in the "Memorial Chapel" of the Dyer-Lake Funeral Home.
Relatives and friends are cordially invited to attend a Funeral Service on Tuesday, March 17, 2020 at 10:00 a.m. in the "Memorial Chapel" of the Dyer-Lake Funeral Home, 161 Commonwealth Avenue, Village of Attleboro Falls, North Attleboro, MA.
Graveside services will follow the funeral service on Tuesday, March 17, 2020 in Milton Town Cemetery, 211 Centre Street, Milton, MA, at which time Margaret will be laid to rest alongside her dear late husband, Barsom.In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in memory of Margaret to Morgan Memorial Goodwill Industries, 1010 Harrison Avenue, Boston, MA 02119
For additional information or to send the family a written expression of sympathy, please visit an online guest book at www.dyer-lakefuneralhome.com .
Arrangements are under the direction of the Dyer-Lake Funeral Home, 161 Commonwealth Avenue, Village of Attleboro Falls, North Attleboro. (508) 695-0200
A Message from Dyer-Lake Funeral Home: The health and well-being of the families we serve, and their guests, are of paramount importance to us at Dyer-Lake. We appreciate that in the midst of the current outbreak of coronavirus disease many people may be concerned about attending funeral services. If you are sick or have reason to believe you have been exposed to the virus, we encourage you to stay home. The family of your friend or loved one will most certainly understand and will appreciate receiving a card or note from you in lieu of your attendance.